Translator: AnubisTL
At Nanyang Market, several Ghost Sword Sect disciples on guard duty yawned listlessly. Within their sect's territory, nothing noteworthy had occurred in quite some time.
Just then, a tall, dignified figure emerged from the market.
"Master Li! Heading out?"
One of the Ghost Sword Sect disciples greeted him with a fawning smile. When Li Qing had taken over the Hundred Refinements Pavilion, he had generously tipped the disciple with spirit stones. Over time, they had become somewhat familiar.
It was a common sight, whether among the righteous or demonic paths—this tendency to curry favor with those in power was simply human nature.
Especially now that Li Qing had gained considerable renown in the market as an artifact refiner capable of crafting top-grade magical artifacts, it was only natural to fawn over him.
After all, given their lowly status within the Ghost Sword Sect, they would never normally have the opportunity to interact with a refining elder like him.
"Mm, I'm planning to take a stroll through Sunward City to see if I can find any high-quality spiritual materials," Li Qing replied, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm and composed. He nodded to them and prepared to leave the market.
But as if remembering something, he turned back and said:
"Young brothers, while I'm away, I'd be grateful if you could keep an eye on my Hundred Refinements Pavilion."
"Afterward, I'll refine a magic artifact for each of you, free of charge—even a high-grade one!"
The Ghost Sword Sect disciples' eyes lit up at this offer. They exchanged glances before exclaiming in delight:
"No problem! We'll send two people to guard your pavilion right away!"
Li Qing shook his head with a gentle smile. "There's no need for such trouble. There's nothing particularly valuable inside; I just need you to keep an eye on things."
With that, Li Qing leisurely mounted his magic artifact and soared toward Sunward City, his figure vanishing into the sky in the blink of an eye.
"This is incredible! Master Li is willing to refine magic artifacts for us for free!"
"The inner sect assessment is coming up soon. If I can get my hands on a powerful, well-suited magic artifact before then, I might finally stand out and become an inner sect disciple!"
"You've hit the nail on the head! We can't delay this any longer!"
"But I don't have any spirit materials on hand... What should we do? I'm also running low on spirit stones..."
In the Great Wilderness Domain, the competition among disciples of cultivation sects was far fiercer than in the Azure Ridge Domain.
Even within the sects, disciples were divided into inner and outer sects, with deacons, elders, and other higher-ranking positions above them. The hierarchical structure was rigid and strictly enforced.
Each step up the ladder brought significantly greater access to resources and authority. Amid such intense competition, every disciple was essentially an opponent to the others.
To climb higher, excelling in the sect's assessments was the most reliable path.
Disciples like them, stationed here on external assignments, naturally belonged to the lowest tier of outer sect disciples. Yet even in this position, their ambition to ascend remained burning fiercely.
Their eyes flickered with uncertainty as they pondered how to persuade Master Li, renowned for his artifact refinement skills, to craft suitable magic artifacts for them before the inner sect assessment.
Li Qing's earlier words were no idle chatter; they stemmed from his own careful considerations.
"It seems the Ghost Sword Sect's inner sect assessment is indeed crucial. No wonder Gu Feng was so fixated on it."
"Without spiritual materials or spirit stones... Heh."
With that, Li Qing truly departed from the area.
Earlier, though he appeared to have left, he had actually concealed himself nearby using a newly refined concealment magic artifact. From his hidden position, he used his divine sense to eavesdrop on the conversation between the Ghost Sword Sect disciples.
He was indeed planning to visit Sunward City, though there was no urgent matter driving him. He simply wanted to check on the progress of Shen Ningbing's black market operation and get a sense of how things were proceeding.
Starting anything is always the hardest part. Once the initial steps are solid, the rest tends to flow more smoothly.
Li Qing placed great importance on this black market project. In the future, when cultivating in the Great Wilderness Domain, he might need to rely on this black market for crucial information and intelligence.
Sunward City, western district.
After Pill Master Yan personally destroyed the Water Moon Merchant Guild, a new trade market for cultivators had been re-established in its place.
However, compared to the Water Moon Merchant Guild's previous management, this newly established market was noticeably colder and more desolate, lacking its former prosperity.
Many stalls and shops were haphazardly arranged, creating a chaotic and disorderly atmosphere.
Despite this, some people still came here in search of items they needed.
"Greetings, Immortal Master. A secret trade fair will be held one month from now at the address listed in this letter."
A young man dressed in patched hemp clothing moved with remarkable agility, delivering his message swiftly while handing a spirit letter to a cultivator browsing the bustling trade market.
"A secret trade fair?" The qi refining realm cultivator frowned, glancing down at the mysterious black envelope in his hand.
Before he could ask any further questions, the beggar-like youth had already vanished into the crowd.
After a moment's hesitation, the cultivator decided against pursuing him. He silently stowed the enigmatic letter into his storage pouch and resumed his aimless wandering through the market as if nothing had happened.
Yet his mind was now consumed by thoughts of the mysterious black envelope.
After completing a final circuit of the market, he hastily departed, eager to return home and examine the letter's contents more closely.
Meanwhile, in an inconspicuous corner of Sunward City, Li Qing and Shen Ningbing had witnessed the entire exchange.
"Over the past few days, I've secretly taken control of over a dozen impoverished orphans in the city. For a few spirit stones, they'd risk their lives, and they've been surprisingly efficient in carrying out these tasks."
Shen Ningbing quietly reported her recent activities to Li Qing, sounding almost like she was giving a work summary to a superior.
Li Qing nodded in response, then asked curiously, "There seem to be quite a few orphans in the city. The coexistence of immortals and mortals doesn't necessarily benefit them."
"I've investigated thoroughly. Every six years, the Ghost Sword Sect conducts mass tests of spirit root aptitude among newborn children in their territory. Their methods are somewhat unscrupulous; children without spirit root aptitude are often orphaned and left to struggle for survival in the city."
Demonic path cultivators, after all, remain demonic path cultivators. They never consider the consequences of their actions, always prioritizing immediate gain.
Children with excellent spirit root aptitude are immediately absorbed into the sect, needless to say.
But those without such aptitude face a bleak fate. Merely surviving becomes an extraordinary feat.
Thus, Shen Ningbing had little difficulty mobilizing these orphans.
"Keep an eye out," Li Qing instructed. "If you find any orphans with strong resolve, take note of them."
"I created a decent mortal realm Martial Arts technique many years ago. Use this technique as compensation to train loyal subordinates who will work for the black market."
As he spoke, Li Qing handed Shen Ningbing an ordinary-looking booklet with three large characters written on the cover: Limitless Art.
"This matter has far-reaching implications. Avoid direct involvement whenever possible. It's best to find proxies and operate from behind the scenes for maximum security."
Shen Ningbing nodded slightly. "Understood, Senior Brother Li!"
With these arrangements made, Li Qing left Sunward City without delay.
The plan was now unfolding systematically. He couldn't predict what the final outcome would be.
In any case, since he had committed to this course, he would give it his all.
Before returning to Nanyang Market, Li Qing deliberately lingered outside for several days, then leisurely made his way back to the Hundred Refinements Pavilion.
This scene naturally caught the attention of several Ghost Sword Sect disciples.
As Li Qing had anticipated, it wasn't long before the Ghost Sword Sect disciples began arriving at the Hundred Refinements Pavilion one after another, their expressions obsequious and humble.
"Senior, to be honest, the Ghost Sword Sect's inner sect assessment is approaching. We're all still lacking a suitable magic artifact."
Without lifting his head from behind the shopkeeper's desk, Li Qing said, "Li Qing is not one to break his word. If I said I would refine for you without charge, then I will. Just provide the spiritual materials yourself."
Provide the spiritual materials yourself?
They were merely ordinary outer sect disciples, stationed at the Nanyang Market—a place with meager profits. Their annual earnings in spirit stones were severely limited. How could they possibly afford spiritual materials?
"Senior, could we exchange our personal magic artifacts and all the spirit stones we have for some materials?" one of the disciples pleaded. "We promise to repay you double in the future, even if we have to sign a spiritual contract!"
Li Qing's expression hardened, and his voice turned icy. "So you have no materials and expect to get magic artifacts from me empty-handed? Do you think Li Qing is someone you can take advantage of?"
Buzz!
A faint aura of foundation establishment realm power leaked out, causing the Ghost Sword Sect disciples to tremble uncontrollably, sweat pouring down their foreheads. They instantly regretted their decision to come here.
But then, Li Qing withdrew his oppressive aura and changed his tone. "However, I did acquire a batch of spiritual materials in Sunward City that I don't need for now. If you swear a great heart demon oath to repay me in the future, I might refine a few magic artifacts for you."
Hearing this, the Ghost Sword Sect disciples' faces lit up with excitement, and they rushed to swear the great heart demon oath.
"Hmph, bring out your magic artifacts and spirit stones. Let's see what kind of discount I can offer," Li Qing said casually.
Immediately, several crudely made magic artifacts appeared in Li Qing's shop. Though all were mid-grade, their workmanship was so rough that it was clear the refiners had put little effort into their creation.
Li Qing was confident he could have crafted such artifacts effortlessly back in his qi refining realm days.
The spirit stones were also meager, totaling just over two hundred.
Li Qing glanced disdainfully at the artifacts before speaking:
"Well, I can salvage some usable spiritual materials from these. Fine. Tell me your specific requirements for your new artifacts."
"I want a mid-grade flying sword! As long as it has high offensive power, I'm good. Preferably a wood-attribute one!"
"An artifact that combines offense and defense. Any design will do, Master Li. Is that possible?"
"I want..."
With their artifact requests made, the Ghost Sword Sect disciples left Hundred Refinements Pavilion in high spirits, their moods buoyant.
Li Qing watched them go, satisfied as he examined the protective artifacts they had left behind.
"Not bad. They truly bear the unique aura of the Ghost Sword Sect's cultivation manual. Anyone could immediately recognize these as the personal artifacts of Ghost Sword Sect disciples."
(End of the Chapter)
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